Shelbourne 0
Shamrock Rovers 3
Dave Donnelly reports from Tolka Park.
SHAMROCK ROVERS BANISHED the ghosts of Tolka Park with a dominant performance that saw them run out 3-0 winners over Shelbourne on Friday night.
They sealed a place in the quarter finals of the FAI Cup thanks to second-half goals from Brandon Miele, Graham Burke and James Doona on a ground that holds bitter memories for Hoops fans.
Few of the current Rovers team were alive when Rovers first moved to Tolka following the closure of Glenmalure Park in 1987 and they played with a verve suggesting they’re unburdened by history.
Roberto Lopes had Rovers’ first chance from a clever Burke pass but he was pushed too far wide and Dean Delany was able to block his shot at his near post.
Burke was the creator again as he played in a wonderful lofted pass for Shaw, who took it on his chest but again Delany was out quickly and the striker couldn’t get a clean shot away.
Two minutes after the break, Rovers took the lead as Webster picked out Burke’s run and he squared for an unmarked Miele to pick out the far corner of Delany’s net.
Shelbourne hit the bar minutes later as James English met Mark Hughes’ corner with his head and Tomer Chencinski clawed away Alan Byrne’s follow-up.
Rovers doubled their advantage moments later as Finn picked out Burke on the penalty spot and he finished easily.
Substitute Doona wrapped up the win as he steered home Webster’s cross before the captain was sent off for diving eight minutes from time.
Shelbourne: Delany, Brown, Collins, Prendergast, S Byrne (Kavanagh 59), A Byrne, Hughes, Evans, Doyle (Rooney 72), Lyons (O’Leary 46), English.
Shamrock Rovers: Chencinski, Webster, Grace, Lopes, Clarke, McAllister, Finn, Connolly (Doona 54), Miele (Bolger 77), Burke, Shaw (O’Connor 78).
Referee: Rob Rogers.
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